Method and apparatus for lidding cartons

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming a lid around an open top of a container in which the lid of the container is a flat sheet. The lid is placed over and centered on the open top of the container, and overlaps the sides of the container. The container is raised into a die-forming assembly which folds down the overlapping ends of the flat lid around the container. Glue is applied to the overlapping ends of the lid while the ends are being folded to secure the ends of the lid around the container.

ilit tan Curtis 1 1 .ian.1,1972

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS F OR LIIDIDIING CARTONS [72] Inventor: ArthurE. Curtis, Ticonderoga, NY.

[73] Assignee: International Paper Company, New York,

[22] Filed: July 15, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 55,106

[52] 11.5. CI ..53/38, 53/287, 53/306, 53/387, 93/55.] P, 156/69 [51]Int. Cl. ..B65b 7/28, B651) 51/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..53/38,287, 306,341,383, 53/387; 93/36 MM, 55.1 P; [56/69, 475, 483, 484

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,038,284 6/1962 Kaestner..53/383 3,162,100 12/1964 Rein et al. ..93/55.l P 3,449,183 6/1969Zelnick ..156/69 3,501,895 3/1970 Geyer ...53/287 3,516,227 6/1970 Bakeret a1 ..53/387 X Primary ExaminerRobert L. Spruill Attorney-Charles B.Smith [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for forming a lid around an open topof a container in which the lid of the container is a flat sheet. Thelid is placed over and centered on the open top of the container, andoverlaps the sides of the container. The container is raised into adie-forming assembly which folds down the overlapping ends of the flatlid around the container. Glue is applied to the overlapping ends of thelid while the ends are being folded to secure the ends of the lid aroundthe container.

18 Claims, 29 Drawing Figures PATENTED JMHB m2 SHEET 01 0f 10 PmmmmmmzSHEET UZBF 10 mm MN 3 mmu MN PATENTED m 1 8 m2 SHEEF 03BF 10 PATENTEDJAM 8 I872 SHEET UUUF 10 AQAmN WK PATENTEB JAN 8 B72 SHEET us 0F 10 AWN.

PATENTED JAN] 8 m2 SHEET BBUF 10 PATENTEU JAN] 8 B72 SHEET 07 0F 10 mnwQ mum Nvkm PATENTED JAN 8 [972 SHEET 08UF 10 PATENTED JAN 1 8 m2 SHEETUSUF 10 Nm 1 s bm Jf I I M M. won mum .QQR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus forsealing a carton, and more specifically to an apparatus for forming aflat lid into a top around an open end of a carton. Previously, when acarton was filled, an opening, through which the filling had beenaccomplished, remained. A preassembled top was placed over the openingof the carton and secured to the carton. In many circumstances, thecarton went along a conveyor belt and the preformed tops were placedmanually on the open end of the container. This necessitated a greatdeal of labor and a great deal of storage space to house the assembledcontainer tops.

Another problem which arose was alterations in the size of thecontainer. A top of a different size was needed to accommodate anychange in size of the container. A great number of different top sizeswere required, as well as storage space for each top size and anaccurate determination of the future consumption of tops.

This tied up a substantial amount of capital, as well as warehousespace. The situation was found to be unsatisfactory. Various types oflidding machines have been proposed to attempt to obviate the necessityfor manual labor in placing a preformed top onto a container. However,these machines often did not eliminate the necessity for maintaining alarge inventory of container tops of various sizes in either anunassembled or preformed condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention includes forming aprecut, prescored container top around a filled container. The containertop has a surface area which is similar in shape to and somewhat largerthan the surface area which is to be covered. The container is passedalong on a conveyor belt and the flat container top is centered on theopen end of the container. The container and the container top are thenraised upwardly into a die. The die has a central opening which issubstantially equal in size and shape to the top surface of thecontainer. As the container and the top are forced upwardly, twoparallel sides of the die contact two opposed ends of the container topand force them downwardly until they are substantially parallel to thecorresponding sides of the container.

Two pairs of pusher assemblies fold the overlapped extensions of eachone of the folded ends of the top toward one another until they aresubstantially perpendicular to the folded portion of the top. Gluepotsapply glue to the underside of the overlapping portion of the top. Thecontainer and the top are then forced further into the die to fold downthe remaining overlap. As the glue contacts the extensions, it holds theoverlapping extensions to the folded-down, folded-in portion of the top.

Another aspect of the invention includes forming a top around a filledcontainer in which the top is cut and prescored. The top may be formedaround any one of a number of containers, each one of which has an openend which is substantially different in cross-sectional area than thatof the other containers.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus whichselects a flat container top from a stack of tops and places thecontainer top in a substantially central orientation onto an open end ofthe filled box. The ends of the top overlap the sides of the box. Theapparatus then raises the box and the centered top into a die whichfolds down the overlapping ends of the top around the box whilesimultaneously applying glue intermediate the ends of the top to securethe folded ends of the top to one another.

In such an apparatus, the box may be filled, then passed along aconveyor line to the apparatus at which point the flat top, which hasbeen prescored and cut to provide a pair of side flaps and two pairs ofears are placed over the box. The die in the apparatus is adjusted tohave a cross-sectional area substantially equal in size andsubstantially similar in shape to the cross-sectional area of the openend of the box. Because the die in the apparatus may be variable andbecause the box top has not been preformed, boxes having widely varyingcrosssectional areas may be sealed without necessitating a change in thecontainer top blanks which are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a boxwith a lid blank in position over the box.

FIG. 2 is a perspective .view of the box and the lid of FIG. I with thelid blank in position over the box and two sides of the lid blank turneddownwardly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box and the lid blank with a pair ofears on each one of the lid sides folded inwardly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box and the lid blank with glueapplied to the underside of the lid ends.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sealed box.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross section taken along Line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a lidding machine perfonning the sequenceof operations shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 with certain portions of theapparatus removed for clarity.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the lidding apparatus viewed from thefeed end of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross section taken along Line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along Line 10l0 of FIG.9 showing a portion of a vacuum pickup used to position the containerlids.

FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross section taken along the Line 11-11 of FIG.7 showing a conveyor system and an elevator system for the liddingapparatus.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal section taken along Line l212 of FIG. 7 showinga lid conveyor assembly for use in the lidding apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross section taken along Line 13-13 of FIG. 7showing the arrangement of a number of gluepots of the liddingapparatus.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along Line 14-14 of FIG.13 showing the lid engaging the box and the glue applied to one of theends of the lid.

FIG. 15 is a vertical section taken along Line 15-15 showing the box andthe lid partially inserted within the die of the lidding apparatus withtwo sides of the lid folded downwardly.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along Line l6-l6 of FIG.13 showing the mechanism for activating the flap-folding andglue-applicator mechanism of the lidding apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a vertical section taken along Line 17-" of FIG. 13 showing apart of the glue-applicator mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary view of a gluepot employed with the liddingapparatus.

FIG. 19 is an elevational view showing the discharge end of the liddingapparatus.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary plan view of the discharge end of the liddingapparatus with the elevating mechanism shown in a raised position.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view of the container with the sides of thecontainer top folded downwardly and the ears being folded inwardly.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary plan view showing the ears folded inwardly andthe glue being applied to the underside of one end of the lid.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along Line 2323 ofFIG. 20 showing the discharge conveyor and a number of associatedactivation switches.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along Line 24-24 ofFIG. 20 with the stop mechanism in the box-stop position.

FIG. 25 is a vertical cross section taken along Line 25-25 of FIG. 23showing the stop mechanism in a first position.

FIG. 26 is a vertical cross' section taken along Line 26-26 of FIG. 24detailing the box-stop" switch.

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic representation of the pneumatic and hydraulicsystem of the lidding apparatus.

FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic representation of the vacuum system employedin the lid pickup assembly of the lidding apparatus.

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical controlsystem used to time and operate the lidding apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In orderto better understand the operation of the lidding apparatus, FIGS. 1through 6 illustrate the sequence of placing and forming a lid around afilled container. In FIG. 1 a lid 50 is disposed above a filledcontainer 52. The container 52 has an open end 54 through which it wasfilled. The lid 50 has a surface area which is greater than thecross-sectional area of the open end 54 and is of a substantiallysimilar shape. The lid 50 has a first pair of parallel score lines 56which extends from one edge of the lid 50 to the other edge of the lid.A second pair of parallel score lines 58 extends between the first pairof parallel score lines 56 and is substantially perpendicular to thefirst pair of score lines. The two pairs of score lines 56, 58circumscribe an area which is substantially equal to the crosssectionalarea of the open end 54.

The second pair of parallel score lines 58 has a number of cutextensions 60 which extend from the intersection of the first pair ofscore lines 56 with the second pair of score lines 58 to the free edgeswhich are parallel to the first pair of score lines 56. The lid 50,therefore, has a pair of opposed end flaps 62, and a pair of opposedside flaps 64. Each one of the side flaps 64 extends into a pair of cars66, opposed to one another, at the ends of the side flaps 64. The areacircumscribed by the two pairs of parallel score lines 56, 58 iscentered on the filled container 52 to overlap the entire open end 54 ofthe filled container.

FIG. 2 best illustrates the first step in forming the lid 50 around thefilled container. The two side flaps 64 are folded downwardly by thelidding apparatus along the second pair of parallel score lines 58.Next, (FIG. 3) the ears 66 are pushed inwardly, underneath the end flaps62. When the ears 66 have been folded inwardly, they will besubstantially perpendicular to the side flap 64 to which they areattached. Because each ear 66 has been cut along the corresponding cutextension 60, it can be folded easily and without further manipulation.After the cars 66 have been folded, glue 70 is applied along theunderside of each one of the end flaps 62 (FIG. 4). The glue 70 isapplied to four substantially rectangular areas 68 each one of whichcontacts one of the ears 66, when the end flaps 62 are foldeddownwardly. This allows the lid 50 to be removed easily after thecontainer has been shipped, while providing a surface on which the endflaps 62 can be secured.

After the glue 70 has been applied to the areas 68, the end flaps 62 arefolded downwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the sideflaps 64. Each end flap 62 will be forced against two of the ears 66, toallow the glue placed in the area 68 to come into contact with andadhere to the cars 66 (FIG.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the lidded containerto illustrate the relative orientation of the various portions of thelid and container, as well as the glue. The side flaps 64 are foldeddownwardly and are immediately adjacent to two parallel sides of thecontainer 52. Each one of the side flaps 64 extends into the two ears66. Each one of the ears 66 is folded parallel to the other one of theears associated with the same side flap 64. Both pairs of ears 66 aresubstantially adjacent to the other sides of the container 52. The ears66 are approximately at a right angle to the associated side flap 64.The end flaps 62 extend between the ears 66 and are perpendicular to theside flaps 64. The end flaps 62 overlay the ears, with the layer of glue70 disposed intermediate the end flap 62 and the respective car 66.

A lidding apparatus which may be used to perform the lidding operationshown in FIGS. 1 through Sis best illustrated in FIGS. 7, I1 and 12. Thelidding apparatus comprises a motor base 74 on which a number of motorsare situated. A pair of uprights 76 extend upwardly from the motor base74 and are affixed securely to the motor base 74. A crossbeam member 78,which is substantially parallel to the motor base 74, is secured acrossthe uprights 76 to maintain them in relative parallel alignment.

An intermittent gear drive motor M, is situated on the motor base 74.The intennittent drive motor M has a power shaft 80. A toothed gear 82is secured to and is coaxial with the power shaft 80. A continuous geardrive motor M is also located on the motor base 74. The continuous geardrive motor M has a power shaft 84. A toothed gear 86 is affixedcoaxially to the power shaft 84.

An elevator shaft 88 extends vertically upward from an elevator collar90 disposed on the motor base 74. The elevator shaft 88 extends througha positioning collar 92 situated on the crossbeam member 78. A crossbeamassembly 94 is located above and parallel to the crossbeam member 78.The crossbeam assembly 94 extends beyond the uprights and is secured atone of its ends to a vertical support member 96.

The elevator shaft 88 has an elevator platform 98 disposed on itsuppermost end. The upper surface of the elevator platform 98 lies adistance X above the uppermost portion of the crossbeam assembly 94. Theupper surface of the elevator platform 98 is substantially flat. Theelevator platform is disposed between the uprights 76 and is centered onthe elevator shaft 88. The distance between the center of the elevatorplatform 98 and any one of the uprights 76 is substantially equal.

A first set of infeed conveyor rollers 100 are disposed with theircentral longitudinal axes perpendicular to the crossbeam assembly 94 androtatably affixed to the crossbeam assembly 94 on either side of theapparatus. An endless belt 102 is disposed around the conveyor rollers100 to form an infeed conveyor system 99 between the input end of thelidding apparatus and a discharge end 112 in the vicinity of theelevator platform 98. A slide guide 104 is located along substantiallythe entire length of the endless belt 102 to position and other wiseguide the containers 52 as they travel from the input end of the liddingmachine to the elevator platform 98.

A pair of outfeed rollers 106 are rotatably disposed at the other end ofthe crossbeam assembly 94 with their longitudinal axes disposed betweenand perpendicular to the crossbeam assembly 94. An endless belt 108 isplaced around the pair of outfeed rollers 106 to provide a continuousoutfeed conveyor to remove lidded boxes. Four elevator positioningrollers 110 are located between the discharge end 112 of the infeedconveyor 99 and a pickup end 114 of the outfeed conveyor 105 and extendthrough the elevator platform 98. A sprocket 116 is secured coaxially toone of the infeed conveyor rollers 100. The sprocket 116 is connected tothe intermittent gear drive motor M by means of a drive chain 118. Thedrive chain extends between the toothed gear 82 of the intermittent geardrive motor M and the sprocket 116.

A sprocket 120 is located on one of the elevator positioning rollers118. The sprocket 120 is connected to the continuous drive motor M by adrive chain 122. The drive chain 122 connects the sprocket 120 to thetoothed gear 86 of the continuous drive motor M A double sprocket 124 isconnected coaxially to one of the outfeed rollers 106. The doublesprocket 124 is driven by a drive chain 126 connected to the toothedgear 86. A second drive chain 128 also is driven by the double sprocket124.

Four vertical guide rods 130 extend upwardly from the crossbeam member78 and are secured rigidly to the crossbeam member. A guide bearing 132is mounted slidably on each one of the vertical guide rods 130. Each oneof the guide bearings 132 is secured rigidly to one corner of theelevator platform 98. When the elevator shaft 88 urges the elevatorplatform 98 upwardly or downwardly, the guide bearings 132 slides alongtheir respective guide rods 130 to maintain the elevator platform 98 ina horizontal orientation.

A lid supply support member 134 is secured to both of the uprights 76and to the vertical support member 96. A lid conveyor assembly 135 islocated on the lid supply support member 134. The lid conveyor assembly135 comprises a first roller 136 whose central longitudinal axis issubstantially parallel to the central longitudinal axes of the infeedconveyor rollers 100. The first roller 136 has a diameter D. The firstroller is disposed between the lid supply support members 134 on eitherside of the lidding apparatus. A second roller 138 having a diameter d,smaller than the diameter D of the first roller 136, is locatedintermediate the first roller 136 and one of the uprights 76. A thirdroller 140, having a diameter d substantially equal to the diameter ofthe second roller 138 is disposed downstream of the second roller. Thethird roller 140 is located between the lid supply support members 134in the vicinity of the other one of the uprights 76. A fourth roller 142is located downstream of the third roller 140 in the vicinity of the endof the lid supply support member 134. The fourth roller has a diameterD," substantially equal to the diameter of the first roller 136.

A sprocket 144 is located at one of the longitudinal ends of the fourthroller 142. The second drive chain 128 from the double sprocket 124drives the sprocket 144. An endless belt 146 is placed around the firstand fourth rollers and underneath the second and third rollers. Thecentral longitudinal axes of all of the four rollers are insubstantially the same plane. Because the second and third rollers havea smaller diameter than the first and fourth rollers, the endless belt146 is effectively held down by the second and third rollers.

A lid tray assembly, generally designated as 150, is situated in thevicinity of the first and second rollers 136, 138. The lid tray assembly150 comprises an angularly disposed lid slide support 152 in which anumber of lids rest. A pair of lid slide guides 154 are secured to thelid slide support 152 and are substantially parallel to and above thelid slide support. The lid slide support 152 is secured at one of itsends to the vertical support member 96 and at its other end to the lidsupply support member 54 by means of a bracket 155. The lid slide guides154 are affixed at one of their ends to the vertical support member 96by means of a bracket 156, and at their other end to a vertical lidassembly support member 158. The vertical lid assembly support member158 is secured, at one of its ends to the lid supply support member 134.

A weighted biasing plate 160 is slidably connected to the lid slideguides 154 by means of a pair of slide bearings 162. The weightedbiasing plate 160 and the slide bearings 162 urge the stack of lids 50against a front stop 164 located at the discharge end of the lid slidesupport 152. A slide stop 166 extends from the vertical lid assemblysupport member 158 in the direction of the vertical support member 96.The slide stop 166 restrains the uppermost edge of the foremost lid inthe stack of lids 50. A lid ramp 168, located in the vicinity of thedischarge end of the lid slide support 152 and in close proximity to thelowermost lid slide guide 154, extends upwardly at an anglesubstantially equal to the angle of inclination of the lid trayassembly'l50. The lid ramp 168 is secured rigidly at both of its ends tothe lid supply support member 134.

A lid pickup, generally designated 170, is pivotally mounted on thevertical lid assembly support member 158 (FIGS. 8,9). The lid pickupassembly 170 comprises a pickup rod 172 which is affixed pivotally atits uppermost end 174 to the vertical lid assembly support member 158. Avacuum-triggering assembly 176 causes the rod to pick up the lids. Thevacuumtriggering assembly 176 is best illustrated in FIG. 10. Thetriggering assembly 176 comprises a cammed wheel 180 which is mountedrigidly to the pickup rod 172, coaxial with the uppermost pivoting end174 of the pickup rod. A cammed section 182 of the cammed wheel 180 ispositioned above a triggering arm 184. The triggering arm 184 ispivotally mounted at a first end 185 to a triggering switch 186 and hasa bearing assembly 187 at its free other end. The triggering switch 186is mounted rigidly to a crossbeam 188 which extends between the verticallid assembly support member 158 on either side of the lidding apparatus.The triggering switch 186 has a depressible trigger point 190 which issituated in close proximity to the triggering arm 184. The trigger point190 is biased upwardly.

The lid pickup is activated by a cylinder 192 which has a piston 194extending therefrom. The cylinder 192 is secured at one of its ends toone of the uprights 76. One end of the piston 194 extends into thecylinder while the other end is affixed pivotally to the pickup rod 172.When the machine is activated, the piston 194 pivots the pickup rod 172and the associated cammed wheel 180. The cammed section 182 of thecammed wheel causes the triggering arm 184 to be raised and lowered,thereby activating the depressible trigger point 190. Thevacuum-triggering assembly 176 activates a number of vacuum pickups 196which are disposed along the pickup rod 172 and are capable of engagingand lifting the first lid 50 from the stack of lids on the lid trayassembly.

A lidding die is best illustrated in FIGS. 7, 13, 14 and 15. The liddingdie, generally designated 200, comprises an inner forming well 202 whichis substantially equal in size to the area circumscribed by the twopairs of parallel score lines 56, 58. Each side of the inner formingwell 202 extends downwardly into an angularly disposed folding arm 204.The folding arm 204 extends outwardly from the inner forming well 202. Apair of biasing pistons 206 extend downwardly within the inner formingwell 202 Each one of the biasing pistons 206 extends upwardly into abiasing cylinder 208. The biasing pistons 206 are biased downwardly bythe biasing cylinders 208. Each one of the biasing cylinders 208 isaffixed rigidly to a platform 210 which is disposed above the lid supplysupport member 134 and is substantially parallel thereto. Each one ofthe biasing pistons 206 is afiixed to a horizontal retention plate 212at its lowermost end. Each horizontal retention plate 212 issubstantially parallel to the lid 50 when the lid is forced upwardlyinto the lidding die 200.

Four gluepots 214 are disposed around the periphery of the lidding die200 (FIGS. 15, 17 and 21). Each one of the gluepots 214 is located inthe vicinity of one of the ears 66. An emersion heater 216 is locatedwithin each one of the gluepots 214. The emersion heater 216 maintainsthe glue at the proper temperature for application. A glue applicator218 transports the glue from one of the gluepots to the underside of oneof the ears 66 (FIGS. 18, 22). The glue applicator 218 comprises anapplicator arm 220 which extends into the glue within the gluepot 214.The applicator arm 220 has a glue pad 222 at one end and is connectedpivotally at its other end to the gluepot 214. A cam follower 224 havinga rotatable bearing 226 at one of its ends is affixed rigidly to thepivotally mounted end of the applicator arm 220.

A ledge crossbar 228 having a pair of opposed beveled ends 230 issituated intermediate each pair of opposed gluepots 214. The rotatablebearing 226 travels along the beveled end 230 of the ledge crossbar 228and the ledge crossbar itself. As the rotatable bearing 226 moves up thebeveled end 230, the cam follower 224 is pivoted about its other end.This raises the applicator arm 220 from the gluepot 214 and swabs glueunder each one of the ears 66. This is best illustrated in FIG. 18 whichshows the glue applicator 218 in an up, or application, position. Eachglue pad 222 comes into contact with one ear 66 during the travel of thegluepot 214. The rotatable bearing 226 is shown along the ledge portionof the ledge crossbar 228.

A gluepot travel assembly, generally labeled 232, is connected to thecontinuous gear drive motor M by means of a chain drive 234, runningbetween the sprocket 144 which is coaxial with the fourth roller 142 anda gear drive 236 connected to the gluepot travel assembly 232. Thegluepot travel assembly 232 can best be seen in FIGS. 15, 17 and 19. Thegluepot travel assembly 232 will be described in connection with twogluepots 214. One gluepot travel assembly 232 operates each pair ofopposed gluepots 214. A cable 238 has both of its free ends affixed to acounterbalance 240. The

cable 238 extends upwardly from the counterbalance 240. Each side of thecable 238 is looped over a pulley 242 which is secured rotatably to oneof the uprights 76. Each pulley 242 causes the cable 238 to reversedirection and go downwardly. Each side of the cable 238 is then passedaround a horizontal direction-change pulley 244 which causes the cableto alter its direction from a substantially vertical direction to ahorizontal direction. Each one of the horizontal direction-changepulleys 244 is secured rotatably to one of the uprights 76.

A second pair of horizontal direction-change pulleys 246 is placed on ahorizontal line with the first pair of horizontal directionchangepulleys 244. The cable 238 is looped under each one of the secondhorizontal direction-change pulleys 246 and looped over a singlesecuring bearing 248 (FIG. 17). The securing bearing 248 is rotatablymounted at one end of an arm 250. The other end of the arm 250 isrigidly affixed to a power shaft 252. The power shaft 252 extendsbetween the arm 250 of each one of the gluepot travel assemblies 232.Each arm 250 is rotatably mounted in a saddle 254. The power shaft 252has a gear drive 256 situated at one of its ends.

As is seen in FIG. 19, the gear drive 256 is connected to a power drivegear 258 by a chain 260. The power drive gear 258 is driven by thecontinuous motor M When the power drive gear is engaged it causes thechain to travel and hence rotates the power shaft 252. This causes thearm 250 to circumscribe an arc and raises the securing bearing 248 fromthe position shown in FIG. 19 to the glue-apply" position shown in FIG.17.

When the arm 250 is raised, the cable 238 is pulled around the twosecond horizontal direction change pulleys 246. Because the cable 238 isconnected to each one of the gluepots 214 by a connector bolt 259 (FIG.17), the gluepots 214 slide along a gluepot guide 262. A bearing 257 oneach side of the gluepots 214 is mounted slidably on the gluepot guide262 and secured rigidly to the respective gluepot 214. The rotation ofthe power shaft 252 causes the gluepots 214 to oscillate back and forth.The gluepots 214 are returned to the outer position by the weight of thecounterbalance 240 which is connected to each end of the cable 238.

FIG. 8 best illustrates the lidding apparatus as viewed from the infeedend. The level of the die 200 relative to the uprights 76 may beadjusted by loosening a pair of wingnuts 270 which secure the die 200.This varies the height of the die to accommodate for containers ofvarious heights. The size of the lidding die 200 may also be altered bythe beveled gear arrangement 272. A first one of the beveled gears 272ahas a handle 273 connected to it (FIG. 12). The beveled gear 272a mateswith a second bevel gear 272b which is secured to a shaft 274. As thefirst beveled gear 272a is rotated, it causes the second beveled gear272]; to rotate and, simultaneously, causes the shaft 274 to rotate. Theshaft 274 is connected to a second pair of beveled gears 2720, 272dwhich is mounted at the infeed end of the lidding machine. The beveledgears 272a, 272b, 272a, and 272d, translate the motion of the handle toseparate the sides of the lid conveyor in accordance with the dimensionsof the box which is to be lidded. Hence, the lidding apparatus may beused with a variety of boxes of differing sizes.

FIGS. 11 and 12 best illustrate the travel path of the container and thelid. In FIG. 11, the container 50 is shown traveling along the infeedconveyor between the pair of slide guides 104. One of the slide guides104 has a pair of adjustment brackets 276 which are secured rigidly tothe slide guide 104 and positioned slidably on a holddown bolt 278. Theholddown bolt is threaded into a set of crossbeams 280 which extendbetween the lid supply support members 134.

FIGS. 13, 21 and 22 best illustrate the gluing mechanism in variousstages ofoperation. In FIG. 13, the gluepots 214 are in the fullywithdrawn position and the glue applicators 218 are submerged in theglue. The four gluepots 214 are distributed at the corners of the lid50. Each one of the gluepots 214 has a rounded leading edge 296. Theleading edges 296 of opposed gluepots 214 face one another. After thecontainer 52 has been forced upwardly into the lidding die 200, andparticularly the inner forming well 202 of the lidding die, the two sideflaps 64 will have been bent downwardly. As the container and lid areforced further up into the lidding die, they trigger the gluepot travelassembly 232. This causes the gluepots 214 which are opposed to oneanother to travel toward one another.

As can be seen in FIG. 21, each one of the rounded leading edges 296folds in one of the cars 66. As the gluepot 214 continues its travel, itflattens the corresponding ear 66 against the side of the filledcontainer 52 (FIG. 22). During the inward travel, the cam follower 224goes along the ledge crossbar 228 and raises the applicator arm 220.This causes glue to be deposited on the underside of each one of the endflaps 62.

After the glue has been deposited, the filled container 52 and the lid50 are forced further into the lidding die 200. A second pair ofangular-disposed folding arms 300 is located one on either side of thecontainer in close proximity to the end flaps 62. The second pair ofangularly disposed folding arms 300 is located perpendicular to thefirst set of folding arms. The second set of folding arms 300 is capableof folding the end flaps downwardly into intimate contact with the earsof the lid.

At least one travel limit indicator rod 302 is affixed to one of thehorizontal retention plates 212 and extends vertically upwardlytherefrom. As the horizontal retention plates are raised by the actionof the elevator platform 98, in raising the filled container 52, thetravel limit indicator rod 302 will trip a number of limit switches LS8and LS7, to activate various operations in the cycle (See FIG. 14).

The hydraulic system of the lidding apparatus is best illustrated inFIGS. 27 and 28. This will be discussed in conjunction with theelectrical system which is represented illustratively in FIG. 29. Thelidding apparatus is supplied with current from a power source (notshown) having a pair of terminals A and B. The power source is of asuitable voltage. Modifications in the power source are within theknowledge of those skilled in the art. A powerline 304 carries thecurrent to the lidding apparatus. The powerline 304 (illustrated in FIG.29) is a two-line cable, A, B. A time clock TC is connected in parallelacross the two lines A, B of the power line 304. A double-pole,single-throw, on-off switch S-l is connected to the two lines of thepowerline. A signal light R is applied across the two lines A, B toindicate when current is being supplied to the circuit. The time clockTC can be employed to turn on the emersion heaters 216 within thegluepots 214 a predetermined time before the machine is to be operated.This allows the operator to use the lidding apparatus immediately,rather than wait for the glue to warm up.

Assume that the cycle is about to be started and that neither a lid nora filled container is in position. A switch LS-S and a time delaycontact CR2-5 (TD) are concurrently closed. This energizes twosolenoids, SOL-4 and SOL-5. Looking at FIG. 27, when solenoid SOL-4 isenergized, air is supplied to the upper chamber of each one of thebiasing cylinders 208. This causes the respective biasing pistons 206 tobe depressed downwardly. Simultaneously, with solenoid SOL-5 energized,increased air pressure is applied to an air-oil hydraulic cylinder 306.The hydraulic cylinder 306 will, in turn, exert pressure on the upperportion of the elevator cylinder 290. This will force the elevatorpiston 292 downwardly into the cylinder and will lower the elevatorplatform 98. The elevator platform is now ready to receive a carton.

When the elevator piston 292 is fully within the elevator cylinder 290,it will trip, and close a switch LS-2. With LS2 closed, current flowsthrough a stop switch LS-l, the switch LS-2, and through a manuallyclosed switch S-2. This supplies power to the intermittent gear driveconveyor motor M, and connects it across the powerline 304. Theintermittent gear drive conveyor motor M drives one of the infeedconveyor rollers and consequently the endless belt 108. This conveys acarton 52 which has been placed on the pickup end of the infeed conveyorby a conveyor system and passes it by a conveyor switch LS-3 until itreaches the stop switch LS-l,

which is interposed into the path of the container. When the carton goesby the conveyor switch LS-3, it opens that switch. However, this has noeffect, as can be seen in FIG. 29, because the switch LS-2 has beenclosed. If stop switch LS-l were in an open condition, because a cartonhad already engaged it at the elevator platform 98, or if LS-2 were openbecause the elevator platform 98 were in any position but the full-down"position, and hence incapable of accepting a carton, the power to theintermittent gear drive motor M would be cut off by opening the switchLS-3. This would stop the infeed conveyor and prevent the carton fromdoing any damage.

While the filled container 52 is moving along the conveyor assembly tothe elevator platform 98, (FIG. 14), the horizontal retention plates 212are biased downwardly by the biasing piston 206 to trip a limit switchLS-8. The limit switch LS-8 is tripped in a down, or closed position.This allows current to flow from the A side of the line to a solenoidSOL-3. The solenoid SOL3 is energized which, in turn, energizes a valve308 associated with the solenoid. When the valve 308 is opened, itprovides air to the chamber of the lid pickup cylinder 192. This causesthe lid pickup piston 194 to extend outwardly. The pickup rod 172 pivotsabout its uppermost end 174 and moves the vacuum pickups 196 in thedirection of the stack of lids 50. The movement of the pickup rod 172causes the cammed wheel 180 to rotate. This alters the portion of thecammed section 182 which contacts the vacuum triggering assembly 176.

As the cammed section 182 moves, it opens a pickup valve 210 (see FIG.28). A partial vacuum is created in the vacuum pickups 196. When thevacuum pickups come into contact with one of the lids 50, they adhere tothe lid. The cammed wheel 180 continues to rotate further to activatethe vacuumtriggering assembly 176. This reverses the air flow in thevalve 308, and forces air into the frontal portion of the lid pickupcylinder 192. The lid pickup piston 194 moves backwardly in response tothe reversal in the air pressure. The pickup rod 172 thus rotates in theopposite direction, thereby rotating the cammed wheel 180. When thecammed wheel 180 has reached a certain point, the vacuum-triggeringassembly 176 is turned off, releasing the lid 50 and causing it to fallonto the lid ramp 168. 1

The lid 50 on the lid ramp 168 is picked up by the endless belt 146 ofthe lid conveyor assembly. The lid is conveyed to its position above thefilled container 52. A lid stop switch LS4 senses the presence of thelid 50 and is closed when the lid contacts the switch. This activatesthe solenoid SOL-l. With the lid 50 and the container 52in position,current flows through the combination of switch S4, the limit switchLS-l, a limit switch LS-4 and through the solenoid SOL-l to line B. Thisenergizes the solenoid SOL-l. A valve 307, associated with the solenoidSOL-l, allows air into a second air-oil tank 309 to force oil downthrough a valve 311 associated with the solenoid SOL-2. This energizesthe solenoid SOL-2 and causes air to flow upwardly into the bottom ofthe elevator cylinder 290 to raise the elevator piston 292. As theelevator platform 98 rises, it engages the bottom surface of thecontainer 52 and raises it above the elevator position rollers 110.

The open end 54 of the filled carton 52 engages the lid 50. Because thepressure in the bottom of the elevator cylinder 290 is greater than thecombined pressure holding down the biasing pistons 206, the pistons 206are forced into the biasing cylinders 208. The biasing pistons 206 areraised and the travel limit indicator rod 302 engages and triggers alimit switch LS-8. When LS8 is closed, a solenoid SOL-3 is energized, toreactivate the valve 308 associated with the lid pickup assembly 170.The next lid 50 is picked up from the stack.

Further upward movement of the elevator platform 98 and,correspondingly, the carton 52 and the lid, 50, triggers a limit switchLS-6. Triggering the limit switch LS-6 deenergizes solenoid SOL-2. Avalve 311 associated with the solenoid SOL-2 is spring-biased and isclosed upon deactivation of the solenoid SOL-2. This causes thehydraulic fluid which initially raised the elevator piston 292 to bemaintained within the elevator cylinder 290. The elevator platform 98 ismaintained at a given level sufficient to fold fully the side flaps 64.

With the limit switch LS-6 energized, current flows through the uppercontact of the limit switch 1.5-6, through CR-l limit switch LS-9 andthrough a relay CR-l to line B. This energizes the relay CR-l.Energizing relay CR-l opens the relay's contacts, thereby deenergizing abrake (not shown) on the power shaft 252 of the gluepot travel assembly,while concurrently energizing the power shaft 252 by engaging a clutch258' shown in FIG. 7. The clutch 258 connects the power shaft 252 to thecontinuous gear drive motor M (see FIGS. 12, and 19). As the power shaft252 rotates, it causes the arm 250 to revolve. The gluepots moveinwardly in response to the arm s rotation. The ears 66 are foldedinwardly by the leading edges of the gluepots 214 while the applicatorarms 220 apply glue to the underside of the end flaps 62.

The power shaft 252 has a cammed wheel 253 coaxial with the power shaft.The cammed wheel 253 is secured to the power shaft and rotates with it.The cammed wheel 253 contacts the limit switch LS-9 and maintains it ina closed position while the gluepots 214 are moving inwardly. As theshaft continues to rotate, the cammed wheel 253 trips the limit switchLS-9 when the gluepots 214 reach the innermost limits of their travel.Tripping the limit switch LS-9 brakes the circuit to relay CR-l whilemaking a circuit to a relay CR-2. When the relay CR-2 is activated itcloses its contacts CR2-1, CR2-2, CR2-3, and CR2-5. CR2-5 is a timedelay control contact which closes after a predetermined time.

Relay CR-l then is opened. However, the closing of contact CR2-3completes the circuit through solenoid SOL-2 and again energizes thesolenoid. This solenoid had previously been deenergized by the change ofposition of the limit switch LS-6. With the solenoid SOL-2 againenergized,the elevator platform 98 and hence the filled carton 52 andthelid 50 travel upwardly. This forces the entire assembly further into theinner forming well 202 of the lidding die 200 and closes the end flaps62.

As the elevator platform continues to travel upwardly, the travel limitindicator rod 302 triggers a limit switch lLS-7. This causes current toflow through the closed contact CR21, closed limit switch LS-7 and relayCR-l. This alters the switching relationship of the contacts of relayCR-l. CRl-l' will be closed and CR1-2 will be opened. This activates theclutch and releases the brake to return the gluepots 214 to theirnormal, or out position. As the gluepots are being returned to theirnormal position, the cammed wheel 253 rotates, thereby deactivatinglimit switch LS-9 to its down position. This reenergizes relay CR-l anddeenergizes relay CR-2. By properly timing the sequence of operations,the time delay contact CR2-5 (TD) will close at this point in time andenergize solenoid S0lr4 and SOL-5.

Because the horizontal retention plate 212 is at its uppermost position,a limit switch LS-S is closed this allows current to flow through thelimit switch LS5, and shifts the valve of the solenoid LS-S to force oilout of the left air-oil tank 306 and increase the hydraulic pressure onthe upper chamber of the elevator cylinder 290. The elevator piston 292thus is depressed. This lowers the elevator platform 98. As is best seenin FIGS. 18, 19, 23, and 24, a latch-mounted stop switch LS-1 is locatedadjacent to the discharge end of the elevator platform 98. The stopswitch LS-l is pivotally mounted on an arm 400. The arm pivots about apivot shaft 402 which is secured to the frame of the apparatus. FIGS. 19and 24 best illustrate the am 400 and the stop switch LS-l swung intothe path of the carton whereas FIGS. 20 and 23 show them swun'g out ofthe path of the carton. When the elevator platform 98 descends, thebottom surface of the carton is contacted by the continuously rotatingpositioning rollers 110 and is driven onto the discharge conveyor to bedischarged from the apparatus.

A pivotally mounted latch member 312 is biased by a spring 414 whichurges one of the ends of the latch member into the path ofthe carton. Asthe carton passes the latch member 312, it causes it to pivot and tomove its other end into intimate contact with the pivot shaft 402 of thearm 400. A spring 406 urges a lever 408, connected by a set of links 410to the arm 400, to swing the switch LS-l into the path of the carton.This position is the stop position for halting the unlidded carton whichis to be raised into the forming die.

FIG. 20 best illustrates a roller 412 mounted on the elevator. Theroller 412 pushes a lever 408 as the elevator rises with a carton. Thismovement is transmitted through abovedescribed set of links 410, the arm400, and the pivot shaft 402 to recock the stop switch LS-l and againplace it in the stop position.

in all cases, it is to be understood that the above-describedarrangements, in particular the electrical configuration and theparticular conveying systems employed in the instant lidding apparatusare merely illustrative of a particular embodiment of many possibleapplications of the principle of the invention. Numerous and variedother arrangements in accordance with the principles may readily bedevised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming a cover around at least one side of acontainer, comprising; a forming die, said forming die having adownwardly opening forming well with a cross-sectional areasubstantially similar in shape and in size to the side of the containerto be covered; means for positioning the container in close proximity toand underneath said forming well, with the side of the container to becovered uppermost; means for situating the cover intermediate saidforming well and the side of the container to be covered, the coverhaving a crosssectional area substantially similar in shape to andgreater in size than the side of the container to be covered, andoverlapping the periphery of the side of the container; means forelevating the container and the cover into said forming well of saidforming die, said means for elevating being disposed underneath saidforming well of said forming die; means for simultaneously folding aportion of said overlapping cover and applying glue to said overlappingcover in the vicinity of the folded portion of said overlapping cover,said means being mounted slidably in close proximity to said formingwell of said forming die.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said forming diecomprises; a first pair of downwardly extending sides substantiallyopposed to one another, each one of said sides having a free endextending angularly outwardly from said forming well of said formingdie.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which said forming die furthercomprises; a second pair of forming arms opposed to one another, eachone of said second pair of forming arms having a free end which extendsoutwardly from said forming well of said forming die, each one of saidfree ends of said second pair of forming arms being disposed above saidfree ends of said first pair of forming arms.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for positioningthe container comprises; an infeed conveyor having an infeed end and adischarge end opposed to one another, said discharge end being in closeproximity to said forming well and wherein said means for elevating thecontainer are disposed in close proximity to the discharge end of theinfeed conveyor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 in which said conveyor comprises; amultiplicity of rollers, disposed with the central longitudinal axes ofsaid rollers substantially parallel to one another and in substantiallythe same plane; and an endless belt disposed around the rollers to forma conveyor belt.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising; gearing meansdisposed coaxially with regard to the central longitudinal axis of oneof said rollers; a motor having a drive shaft; and driving meansdisposed between said gearing means on said roller and said drive shafton said motor for imparting motion to said conveyor system.

7. An apparatus for forming a cover around at least one side of acontainer comprising; a forming die, said forming die having adownwardly opening forming well with a cross section substantiallysimilar in shape and size to the slide of the container to be covered; aconveyor means having a pickup end and a discharge end, said dischargeend of said conveyor means being in close proximity to said downwardlyextending opening of said forming well; lid conveyor means, having apickup end and a discharge end, said discharge end being intermediatesaid forming well and the side of the container to be covered, the coverhaving a cross-sectional area substantially similar in shape to andgreater in size than the side of the container to be covered, andoverlapping the periphery of the side of the container; an elevatorplatform, said elevator platform being disposed in close proximity tosaid conveyor means for positioning the container; an elevator pistonhaving an uppermost end, said uppermost end being affixed securely tosaid elevator platform; means for raising said elevator piston and saidelevator platform upwardly into urging relationship with said formingwell of said forming die; two pairs of glue applicator mechanisms, eachone of said glue applicator mechanisms having a leading edge, saidleading edges of each pair of glue applicator mechanisms being opposedto one another, a slide assembly secured rigidly to said apparatusintermediate each one of said pair of glue applicator mechanisms, saidglue applicator mechanisms being slidably mounted on said slide assemblyto allow said opposed leading edges of said glue applicator mechanismsto move toward and away from one another.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 in which; said forming well issubstantially rectangular and each one of the four sides of saidrectangular forming well has a downwardly extending leading end, saidleading ends on said sides opposed to one another extending angularlyout from one another and from the center of said forming well.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 in which said means for positioningthe lid comprises; a lid guide having an input end and a discharge end;a lid-biasing plate slidably mounted on said lid guide to urge the lidsfrom the input end to the discharge end; a lid carrier mechanism havinga pickup and a discharge end, said pickup end of said carrier mechanismbeing in closejuxtaposition to said discharge end of said lid assemblyand said discharge end of said lid carrier being in close proximity toand underneath said forming well of said forming die.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 in which said lidpositioning meansfurther comprises; a pickup rod, one end of which is pivotally mountedon said apparatus; at least one suction pickup affixed to said pickuprod in the vicinity of a free end of the pickup rod; and, means foractivating and deactivating the vacuum in said suction pickup, saidmeans for activating secured to said pivotally mounted end of saidpickup rod and capable of complementary pivotal motion with said rod.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7 in which each of said glueapplicator mechanisms comprises; a gluepot, slidably mounted on saidtravel slide; a glue applicator arm having a first and second free end,pivotally mounted at said first end of said gluepot and capable ofextending into said gluepot with said second free end; and an armelevator rod having a first and a second end, rigidly secured at saidfirst end to said applicator arm, said first end also being pivotallyaffixed to said gluepot, coaxial with said applicator arm pivot point,to pivot said applicator arm and raise said second free end of saidapplicator arm from said gluepot.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 in which said glue applicatormechanism further comprises; a glue applicator pad affixed to said freeend of said applicator arm; and a heater situated within and secured tosaid gluepot.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 in which said glue applicatormechanism further comprises; an activator bar secured to said apparatusintermediate each one of said pair of gluepots, said bar having a firstand a second opposed beveled ends, said beveled ends being beveledinwardly, each one of said beveled ends disposed in close proximity tosaid second end of said arm elevator rod, said second free end of saidarm elevator rod being capable of movement along said beveled end ofsaid rod; and, motor means connected to said gluepots for urging thegluepots from the beginning of said beveled ends of said rod to thevicinity of said center of said rod.

114. An apparatus according to claim 13 in which said glue applicatormechanism further comprises; a gluepot return apparatus, comprising; abiasing weight; a cable having two free ends, the first one of said freeends being connected to said biasing weight and said second one of saidfree ends being connected to said gluepot; and, at least one pulley,mounted rotatably on said apparatus, said cable being looped over saidpulley to translate vertical motion of said biasing weight to horizontalmotion of said glue applicators.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 in which; at least one of saidcable and pulley arrangements is associated with each one of saidgluepots.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 in which; said leading edge ofeach one of said glue applicator mechanisms has a rounded frontalportion and a flat inner side, and the distance between two opposed flatinner sides of two of said gluepots associated with different pairs issubstantially similar to the width dimension of the container.

17. The method of closing a container having an open end, comprising thesteps of:

a. positioning said container with said open end beneath a flat coverblank, said blank having score lines defining opposed side flaps andopposed end flaps and having openended notches separating the respectiveends of the side flaps from the adjacent ends of the end flaps, saidnotches forming bendable tabs in the ends of said side flaps, theportion of said blank within said score lines correspondingsubstantially in size, shape and location to said open end of saidcontainer;

b. moving said container upwardly into contact with said blank and witha forming die having a downwardly opening forming well having across-sectional area corresponding substantially in size, shape andlocation to said portion of said blank to bend said side flapsdownwardly and into intimate contact with the corresponding sides ofsaid container;

. bending said respective tabs around and into intimate contact with thecorresponding ends of said container, while simultaneously applyingadhesive to said end flaps in the vicinity of said tabs;

d. bending said end flaps downwardly and into intimate contact with thecorresponding ones of said tabs and the corresponding ends of saidcontainer.

18. The method according to claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

a. moving said container downwardly from within said downwardly openingforming well after said end flaps have been bent downwardly; and

b. removing said closed container from said downwardly opening formingwell.

Dated January 18 1972 Patent No. 3 ,634 ,995

Inventor(s) Arthur rtis It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are-herebycorrected as shown below:

col, 9, line 2 "210" should be 310 Col. 10, line 7 delete "CR-l" andinsert a Col. 11, lines 12 & l3" after "through" delete "abovedescribed" and insert the Col. 12, line 7 "slide" should be side Signedand sealed this 28th day of November 1972a (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer 1Commissioner of Patents a FORM FO-iO'J-O (was)

1. An apparatus for forming a cover around at least one side of acontainer, comprising; a forming die, said forming die having adownwardly opening forming well with a cross-sectional areasubstantially similar in shape and in size to the side of the containerto be covered; means for positioning the container in close proximity toand underneath said forming well, with the side of the container to becovered uppermost; means for situating the cover intermediate saidforming well and the side of the container to be covered, the coverhaving a crosssectional area substantially similar in shape to andgreater in size than the side of the container to be covered, andoverlapping the periphery of the side of the container; means forelevating the container and the cover into said forming well of saidforming die, said means for elevating being disposed underneath saidforming well of said forming die; means for simultaneously folding aportion of said overlapping cover and applying glue to said overlappingcover in the vicinity of the folded portion of said overlapping cover,said means being mounted slidably in close proximity to said formingwell of said forming die.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 in whichsaid forming die comprises; a first pair of downwardly extending sidessubstantially opposed to one another, each one of said sides having afree end extending angularly outwardly from said forming well of saidforming die.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 in which said formingdie further comprises; a second pair of forming arms opposed to oneanother, each one of said second pair of forming arms having a free endwhich extends outwardly from said forming well of said forming die, eachone of said free ends of said second pair of forming arms being disposedabove said free ends of said first pair of forming arms.
 4. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which said means for positioning the containercomprises; an infeed conveyor having an infeed end and a discharge endopposed to one another, said discharge end being in close proximity tosaid forming well and wherein said means for elevating the container aredisposed in close proximity to the discharge end of the infeed conveyor.5. An apparatus according to claim 4 in which said conveyor comprises; amultiplicity of rollers, disposed with the central longitudinal axes ofsaid rollers substantially parallel to one another and in substantiallythe same plane; and an endless belt disposed around the rollers to forma conveyor belt.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 furthercomprising; gearing means disposed coaxially with regard to the centrallongitudinal axis of one of said rollers; a motor having a drive shaft;and driving means disposed between said gearing means on said roller andsaid drive shaft on said motor for imparting motion to said conveyorsystem.
 7. An apparatus for forming a cover around at least one side ofa container comprising; a forming die, said forming die having adownwardly opening forming well with a cross section substantiallysimilar in shape and size to the slide of the container to be covered; aconveyor means having a pickup end and a discharge end, said dischargeend of said conveyor means being in close proximity to said downwardlyextending opening of said forming well; lid conveyor means, having apickup end and a discharge end, said discharge end being intermediatesaid forming well and the side of the container to be covered, the coverhaving a cross-sectional area substantially similar in shape to andgreater in size than the side of the container to be covered, andoverlapping the periphery of the side of the container; an elevatorplatform, said elevator platform being disposed in close proximity tosaid conveyor means for positioning the container; an elevator pistonhaving an uppermost end, said uppermost end being affixed securely tosaid elevator platform; means for raising said elevator piston and saidelevator platform upwardly into urging relationship with said formingwell of said forming die; two pairs of glue applicator mechanisms, eachone of said glue applicator mechanisms having a leading edge, saidleading edges of each pair of glue applicator mechanisms being opposedto one another, a slide assembly secured rigidly to said apparatusintermediate each one of said pair of glue applicator mechanisms, saidglue applicator mechanisms being slidably mounted on said slide assemblyto allow said opposed leading edges of said glue applicator mechanismsto move toward and away from one another.
 8. An apparatus according toclaim 7 in which; said forming well is substantially rectangular andeach one of the four sides of said rectangular forming well has adownwardly extending leading end, said leading ends on said sidesopposed to one another extending angularly out from one another and fromthe center of said forming well.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 7 inwhich said means for positioning the lid comprises; a lid guide havingan input end and a discharge end; a lid-biasing plate slidably mountedon said lid guide to urge the lids from the input end to the dischargeend; a lid carrier mechanism having a pickup and a discharge end, saidpickup end of said carrier mechanism being in close juxtaposition tosaid discharge end of said lid assembly and said discharge end of saidlid carrier being in close proximity to and underneath said forming wellof said forming die.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 in which saidlid-positioning means further comprises; a pickup rod, one end of whichis pivotally mounted on said apparatus; at least one suction pickupaffixed to said pickup rod in the vicinity of a free end of the pickuprod; and, means for activating and deactivating the vacuum in saidsuction pickup, said means for activating secured to said pivotallymounted end of said pickup rod and capable of complementary pivotalmotion with said rod.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 7 in whicheach of said glue applicator mechanisms comprises; a gluepot, slidablymounted on said travel slide; a glue applicator arm having a first andsecond free end, pivotally mounted at said first end of said gluepot andcapable of extending into said gluepot with said second free end; and anarm elevator rod having a first and a second end, rigidly secured atsaid first end to said applicator arm, said first end also beingpivotally affixed to said gluepot, coaxial with said applicator armpivot point, to pivot said applicator arm and raise said second free endof said applicator arm froM said gluepot.
 12. An apparatus according toclaim 11 in which said glue applicator mechanism further comprises; aglue applicator pad affixed to said free end of said applicator arm; anda heater situated within and secured to said gluepot.
 13. An apparatusaccording to claim 12 in which said glue applicator mechanism furthercomprises; an activator bar secured to said apparatus intermediate eachone of said pair of gluepots, said bar having a first and a secondopposed beveled ends, said beveled ends being beveled inwardly, each oneof said beveled ends disposed in close proximity to said second end ofsaid arm elevator rod, said second free end of said arm elevator rodbeing capable of movement along said beveled end of said rod; and, motormeans connected to said gluepots for urging the gluepots from thebeginning of said beveled ends of said rod to the vicinity of saidcenter of said rod.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13 in which saidglue applicator mechanism further comprises; a gluepot return apparatus,comprising; a biasing weight; a cable having two free ends, the firstone of said free ends being connected to said biasing weight and saidsecond one of said free ends being connected to said gluepot; and, atleast one pulley, mounted rotatably on said apparatus, said cable beinglooped over said pulley to translate vertical motion of said biasingweight to horizontal motion of said glue applicators.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 14 in which; at least one of said cable and pulleyarrangements is associated with each one of said gluepots.
 16. Anapparatus according to claim 14 in which; said leading edge of each oneof said glue applicator mechanisms has a rounded frontal portion and aflat inner side, and the distance between two opposed flat inner sidesof two of said gluepots associated with different pairs is substantiallysimilar to the width dimension of the container.
 17. The method ofclosing a container having an open end, comprising the steps of: a.positioning said container with said open end beneath a flat coverblank, said blank having score lines defining opposed side flaps andopposed end flaps and having open-ended notches separating therespective ends of the side flaps from the adjacent ends of the endflaps, said notches forming bendable tabs in the ends of said sideflaps, the portion of said blank within said score lines correspondingsubstantially in size, shape and location to said open end of saidcontainer; b. moving said container upwardly into contact with saidblank and with a forming die having a downwardly opening forming wellhaving a cross-sectional area corresponding substantially in size, shapeand location to said portion of said blank to bend said side flapsdownwardly and into intimate contact with the corresponding sides ofsaid container; c. bending said respective tabs around and into intimatecontact with the corresponding ends of said container, whilesimultaneously applying adhesive to said end flaps in the vicinity ofsaid tabs; d. bending said end flaps downwardly and into intimatecontact with the corresponding ones of said tabs and the correspondingends of said container.
 18. The method according to claim 17 furthercomprising the steps of: a. moving said container downwardly from withinsaid downwardly opening forming well after said end flaps have been bentdownwardly; and b. removing said closed container from said downwardlyopening forming well.